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Tennessee football’s top 10 NFL players of 2010s

By Caleb Calhoun

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 8: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High on December 8, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Titans 51-28. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 8: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High on December 8, 2013 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Titans 51-28. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images /

3. Peyton Manning

Quarterback (1998-2015)

Teams played for:

  • Indianapolis Colts (2010-2011)
  • Denver Broncos (2012-2015)

Accolades:

  • MVP (2013)
  • Two-time first-team All-Pro (2012-2013)
  • Four Pro Bowls (2010, 2012-2014)
  • Super Bowl Championship (2015-16)
  • NFL Comeback Player of the Year (2012)
  • NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2013)

If we’re comparing overall careers, Peyton Manning is easily at the top of this list. He and Reggie White are easily Tennessee football’s greatest performers at the pro level, and there is a case for him to be at the top of this list.

After all, in just four and a half years starting, Manning’s accomplishments, which are above, speak for themselves. He continued to play at a high level despite missing all of the 2011 season due to his neck surgery and then getting cut by the Colts.

Remember, Manning was still an MVP candidate in 2010, 2012 and 2013, and he set every regular season passing record possible in 2013, records that still stand today. In 2014, he broke the all-time touchdown passes record, and in 2015, he broke the all-time passing yardage record, two records now held by Drew Brees.

Finally, in his last season, despite only starting half the season and clearly not being himself, he managed to lead a game-winning drive in one playoff win and throw two touchdown passes in another as the Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl. However, he still only started four and a half years, so we can’t put him at the top of this list for the 2010s, specifically.

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